Expansion-type grapple for lifting and carrying loads



May 8, 1962 J. MQRRow, JR

EXPANSION-TYPE GRAPPLE FOR LIFTING AND CARRYING LOADS INVENTOR JoH/v MOR/zow, JR.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNE May 8, 1962 J. MoRRow, JR 3,033,605

EXPANSION-TYPE GRAPPLE FOR LIFTING AND CARRYING LoADs 2 Sheets-Sheet Z Zt?" 7 Z8 4s Fzy 8 z/oH/v MoRRom/,J/'P

46 T l F28 T INVENTOR Filed Dec. 13, 1960 United States Patent 3,033,605 EXPANSION-TYPE GRAPPLE FGR LIFTIN G AND CARRYING LUADS John Morrow, Jr., 224 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. Filed Dec. 13, 1964), Ser. No. 75,559 1 Claim. (Cl. 294-97) This invention relates to lifting and carrying grapples and more specifically to such grapples of the expanding type.

An important object of the invention is to provide an expanding type grapple which is adapted to adjust itself automatically for the support and carrying of loads, either stacked or unstacked, having openings of various shapes, such as pneumatic and other tires, window frames, sewer pipe sections whether circular or oval walled in transverse section, and belled at the ends or not, wheel rims, coils of wire or other rope, preformed building trusses and the like.

Another important object is to provide an expanding type grapple provided with a plurality of support legs, as more than two and preferably three, so that there will be at least a three-point suspension of the load by the grapple, whereby the load will not be apt to tip, even if the grapple legs do not Contact the walls of the opening in the load.

Still another important object is to provide an expanding type grapple which is of sturdy construction, contains no complicated mechanisms or parts which require complex adjustments, may be manufactured at low cost, since there is no detailed machining of parts, and a shop equipped with a conventional shear, punch press, hack or like sawing means, and welding equipment can manufacture the grapple.

lFurthermore, an important object is to provide an expansion-type grapple which immediately and automatically centers its arms on lifting and there is coordinated retraction of the arms for easy entry and withdrawal from the load without binding or dragging actions of the grapple.

Additionally, an important object is to provide an expansion-type grapple which will automatically adjust itself to the openings in separate piles or stacks of loads, even though the separate piles or loads may vary as to the diameters of the openings. The grapple of this invention does not require to expand to its maximum limit in order to lift and carry a load.

Y Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming portions of this disclosure, and in which drawings:

FIG. l is a perspective view of one form of the in vention, with the grapple in a collapsed position (in full lines) and in one expanded position (in dash lines).

FIG. 2 is a -top plan view of the grapple of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a horizontal transverse sectional View, substantially on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the lower portion of the grapple of FIGS. 1 3, in expanded grappling connection with a stacked load, shown in vertical section.

FIG. 5 is a vetical sectional view of the grapple of FIGS. 1-4 engaging a support upon which is a stacked load, spaced from the grapple.

FlG. 6 is a perspective view of the upper end portion of a reciprocable tubular body member of the grapple of FIGS. 1 5.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal transverse sectional view of the upper end portion of the member of FIG. 6 with the first coupling means attached thereto and shown in horizontal section.

vFIG. 8 is anY elevational View of a sleeve reciprocable member of the grapple, with second coupling means attached thereto.

HG. 9 is an elevational view of the upper end portions of a modified form of the grapple.

FIG. 10 is a horizontal transverse sectional view of the elements of FIG. 9, substantially on the line L10-10 of FiG. 9.

in the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown two forms of the invention, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letters A and B designate respectively two forms of the invention, C and D two examples of loads and E a load support.

The two forms A and B of the invention are preferably exactly alike except for one of the coupling means, as will be more fully detailed.

The grapple of form A of the invention includes an upwardly-extending tubular body member 15 which is shown as an elongate sleeve, which may be of iron or steel or of other metal or alloy, but preferably of steel, open at its upper end portion 16 (FIG. 6) which is preferably provided with a pair of short diametrically-opposite longitudinally-extending slots 17 for connection, at the walls thereof, with rst coupling means 50, to be described. Projecting outwardly from the outer periphery of the end portion 16 is a stop means 13, which is preferably a lug and may be attached to the end portion 16 by providing an outwardly-opening screw threaded socket 19 in the portion 16 to receive a conventionally exteriorly screw-threaded portion of the lug.

The member 15 also iixedly carries a plurality of first and second projections, as spaced-apart pairs of ears 20 and Z1, comprising pairs of first ears 20 rigid with and extending radially outwardly from the outer periphery of the member 15 and spaced well below the stop means 18 as, for example, about one-third the length of the member 15 from the top edge thereof. Preferably, at thelower end portion of the member 15 are a plurality of pairs of spaced apart second projections as the second ears 21 rigid with and extending radially outwardly from the outer periphery of the member 1'5 and disposed with their upper edges or faces facing the lower edges or faces of the ears 20. I prefer to provide three pairs of ears Ztl and 21, although there may be more than three pairs each. Each ear is provided with an axiallyaligning horizontally extending bore or opening to receive pivot means such as the Shanks of bolts, to be subsequently described. The first and second ears 20 and 21 are preferably wel-ded to the member 15 and are of strong metal similar to that of the member 15.

Referring to the sleeve member 25, best shown in PIG. 8, being preferably a short sleeve which may be of iron, steel or other suitable metal or alloy but preferably of steel, open at both ends. This sleeve is of less length, from its upper edge 26 toits lower edge 27, than the dis-y tance between the stop means 18 and the first ears 20 and telescopes over the upper portion of the member i5 to slide up and down therealong, limited in its upward movement by the stop means 1S engaging the upper edge 26 and limited in its downwardly movement by Contact of the upper edges of the first ears 26 with the lower edge 27 of the member `25, whereby these ears 20 have dual functions.

The member 25 rigidly carries a plurality of third projections, as ears 298, extending radially outwardly from its outer periphery and provided with horizontally-extending axially-aligned openings or bores to receive pivot means as the Shanks of bolts 46 to be referred to subsequently. y

Operatively connect'edto the members 15 and 125 are a plurality of upwardly-extending support legs or grapple members 31 of the work support means Sil of the grapple. Each leg or member 31 is preferably one longitudinal half of an elongate cylindrical rod, turned outwardly at its lower end portion to form a foot 32. The ilat side face '33 of the leg 31 faces inwardly and the flat face 34 of the foot faces downwardly, with the curved faces 35 and 36 of the leg and footrrespectively facing outwardly and upwardly respectively. It will be noted, as in FIG. 4, for example, that the curved faces 3S and 36 of the legs and feet engage the curved surfaces of the work, rather than any sharp edges, while the feet always engage the work or the support E, but the legs may not engage the work (as in FIG.

Carried rigidly by each leg 3l are a pair of projections or ears 37 preferably welded to the upper portion of the at face 33 and a pair of projections or ears 3S preferably welded to the lower portion of the lat face of the leg. All pairs of ears 37 and 38 have axially aligning openings for pivot pins.

'Connection means 4G of the support means 39 between the legs 31 and member 15 preferably comprise a plurality of levers 41, one pivotally connecting each pair of ears and each pair of ears 37, and a plurality of levers 42, one pivotally connecting each pair of ears 21 and ears 38. It is preferred to use the shanks of conventional bolts `43 as pivot pins to extend through aligning openings in the respective pairs of ears and openings in the end portions of the respective levers 4l and 42, with conventional lock nuts 44 screwed upon the projecting screwthreaded ends of the bolt Shanks.

Connection means 4G also includes a plurality of links 45, two being pivotally connected at one end portion of each with a projection or ear 28 and an intermediate portion of a lever 41. The Shanks of bolts 46 extending through openings in the levers 41 and outer end portions of the links 45, provide pivot pins for the outer end portions of the links. It will be noted, as in FIG. l, that the longitudinal axes of a lever 41 and lever 42 operatively connected to the same leg 31, are substantially parallel at all times, and that the limits of movement of the member are such that the pivotal connections of links 45 to levers 41 are never at dead centers.

In the forms A and B of the invention, I prefer to provide first coupling means Sil or 50 respectively for coupling a conventional hook and line, as a wire cable (not shown), having a hook at its lower end, to the rst member 15 or 15 for effecting expansion of the legs of the grapple. The means 50 is preferably a bail with the lower parts of its legs 51 extending into the slots 17 and welded to the member 15 to project upwardly thereof. The means S0' is like the means 50 and its legs extend into slots, like the slots 17, in the member 15 and welded thereto.

Also, in the forms A and B, l prefer to provide second coupling means '55, as shown in iFlGS. 1 and 8, and coupling means 55', as shown in lFIGS. 9 and l0 respectively for coupling a second conventional hook and line, as a wire cable (not shown) having a hook at its lower end, to the member 25 or y25', as the case may be, for effecting retraction of the legs of the grapple. In the case of vthe second member 2S, the means 55 is a bail with the lower parts of its legs secured to the upper end portion of the member 25, at its outer periphery, as by welding, to project rigidly thereabove.

In the case of the form B of the invention, the means 55' is a bail 56 with the free end portions of its legs pivotally connected, substantially as shown in FIG. 10, to upwardly extending arms 57 which are rigid with the member 25 to project upwardly therefrom and may be secured, at their lower end portions, as by welding, to the outer periphery of the member 25'. The free end portions of the legs of the bail 56 and the upper free end portions of the arms 57 may be provided with eyes through which may extend pivot pins 58 of any approved form, vsuch as shown in FIG. l0.

The means 55' of form B is provided so that the bail 56 may be pivoted downwardly, as in FIG. 9, in order to be out of the way when the bail 50 is in use.

In FIGS. 9 and l0 parts which are preferably exactly like similar parts of form A of the invention are shown by like numerals provided with an exponent In the use of the grapples of forms A and B, if a grapple has its legs expanded and it is desired to retract them for introduction into the opening or openings 60 in a load, as the load C of FIG. 4 or openings 70 in the load D (and opening 71 in the support E) of iFIG. 5, the weight of the grapple isV placed upon the bail of either the means S5 or l55' by suspending the grapple from a hook (not shown) attached to a taut longitudinally immovable (not shown). This will cause automatic retraction of the legs of the grapple. The grapple may then be lowered into the openings, either 60 or 70, as the case may be.

When the feet of the lowered grapple are in positions so that, when the legs are expanded, the feet will hook under the bead 6-1 of the lowermost load C or under the platform body 71, the hook under the connection means S5 or 5S is uncoupled. In the case of the grapple of form B, the bail '56, will pivot downwardly, out of the way and, in either case, a hook may be hooked under the bail of the connection means 5f.) and 50' and the hook, and, with the line attached to the hook under the connection means 50 and "50' and payed in, the feet will come into engagement with the load or support and support the same for raising and carrying the load and, if used, also the support.

Because of the suspension of the load (or load and support E) upon the feet, there will be at least a threepoint suspension or, if there are more than three legs and their feet employed, there will be a suspension of more than three points although I have discovered that, while a two-point suspension is not desirable, a three-point suspension is generally adequate for support and tippingprevention of the load, despite the fact that, in cases, the legs will not engage the walls of the openings in a stacked load, although the feet must extend, at least for parts of their lengths, under the load or the support E.

Economy in construction of the grapples may be effected by dividing a cylindrical rod longitudinally to provide a pair of legs and feet, when the lower ends of the divided rod are turned to project outwardly from the balance of the divided rod. The rounded surfaces thus provided are less apt to damage the loads than would surfaces of other shapes and the substantially ilat surfaces or faces 33 of the legs are much more desirable to attach (as by welding) the projections or ears 37 and 38 to the legs 31.

In the construction of the coupling means 50 and 55 or 50' and 55', one being spaced above the other with the longitudinal axis of the members 15 and 25 substantially passing through the uppermost portion of each bail, there is a direct upward pull upon any one of the bails, in contradistinction to pulls transversely of the longitudinal axes of the grapples, since such transverse pulls tend to set a grapple to swaying, I have discovered that, depending wholly on the use of the lines, drawn up or payed out, and gravity, and not depending upon springs, cams or the like, the grapples of my invention will function satisfactory and without being guided by the operators hands upon the grapples.

Various changes may be made to the forms of the invention 'herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the claim.

What is claimed is:

A lifting and carrying grapple, including an upwardly extending elongate body member, a sleeve mem-ber telescoping therewith at the outer face and upper portion thereof; work supporting means, including a plurality of upwardly-extending legs provided with outwardly projecting feet, said legs being spaced from said members a substantially equal distance apart; first set of levers, connected between the intermediate portion of said body bail, one spaced from the other, with the longitudinal member at a location below said sleeve member and the axes of said members extending through the uppermost upper portions of said legs; second set of levers connected portion of each bail. t between the lower portion of said body member and the References Cited in ,he me of this patent lower portions of said legs; link connection means pivot- 5 ally connected between said sleeve member and the inter- UNTED STATES PATENTS mediate portions of said'rst set of levers; coupling 13,245 Walter July 10, 1855 means carried by said body member to couple said body 1,317,500 Holmquist Sept. 30, 1919 member to a support; and coupling means carried by 2,216,676 Ragland Oct. 1, 1940 said sleeve member to couple said sleeve member to a 10 2,738,219 Fenimore Mar. 13, 1956 support, both of said coupling means including a separate 2,879,101 Daroci Mar. 24, 1959 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent No., 3,033605 May 8 i962 John Morrown Jr'. It is hereby certified t het error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the seid Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column l, line 62"I for' "veticalu' read Veri ina-1 column 4w line 14V after- 1"immovable" insert. line. same column, lines 26 and 28, for "and"u first.. Turret/Tom each occurrence, read or Signed and sealed this 28th day of August l92 (SEAL) Attest:

"STON G JOHNSON DAVID L. LADD A ttesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

